The much-anticipated five-match T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand is set to kick off on Sunday with the first match at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Salman Ali Agha will lead Pakistan while Michael Bracewell will captain New Zealand.
The match will feature some notable absences, particularly from the New Zealand camp. Players like, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra and white-ball captain Mitchell Santner are unavailable due to their IPL commitments. In the absence of regular players, New Zealand have included a few fresh faces in their squad.
Pakistan, on the other hand, have included three uncapped players – Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Ali – in their squad. They all were impressive in domestic games. Pakistan, meanwhile, are without two of their experienced players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who both have been left out of the T20Is.
Head to head
Matches - 46
NZ Won - 19
PAK Won - 23
NR - 2
New Zealand Probable XI: Tim Robinson, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Mitch Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (c), Ish Sodhi, Kyle Jamieson, Will O’Rourke, Ben Sears
Pakistan Probable XI: Mohammad Haris (wk), Omair Yousuf, Hasan Nawaz, Salman Agha (c), Abdul Samad, Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Abbas Afridi